Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of Phoradendron piperoides leaves

Abstract

Phoradendron piperoides (Kunth) Trel. (Viscaceae) is a parasitic plant widely distributed in regions of the Brazilian northeast. Different species of Phoradendron are used in folk medicine for the treatment of cough, influenza, gastrointestinal and female disorders, and pain. In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The methanol extract (ME) and dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions of P. piperoides leaves were used in the following experiments. Oral treatment with the ME elicited inhibitory activity (p < 0.01) on the acetic acid effect at 100 (32.08%), 200 (34.46%), and 400 mg/kg (49.50%). P. piperoides ME reduced the formalin effect at the second phase (200 and 400 mg/kg, p < 0.05); however, the ME did not elicit any inhibitory effect on the hot-plate test. Edema formation induced by carrageenan was reduced (p < 0.05) with the ME by 28% (200 mg/kg) and 33% (400 mg/kg). ME, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions reacted with the DPPH radical and reduced the DPPH radical by 94.5, 37.2, 77.2, and 95.7%, respectively. ME, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions exhibited low IC₅₀ values.

Keywords::

• Anti-inflammatory activity
• antinociceptive activity
• antioxidant activity
• Phoradendron piperoides

Declaration of interest: This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), and Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe (FAPITEC/SE).The authors report no conflicts of interest.